Mist and Magic: An Intimate Encounter with Atlantic Puffins

The salt-laced air hung heavy with moisture, a thick veil of mist clinging to the tiny island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This was day two of my "Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more" workshop, and already it had delivered on its promise. We'd spent the afternoon immersed in the charming, swirling chaos of puffins ferrying beakfuls of glistening fish back to their hidden pufflings – a photographer's dream.

After a productive session, the aroma of a gourmet meal lured us away from the rocky shores. Pan-seared salmon and all the delectable fixings provided the perfect fuel to recount the day's photographic triumphs. As we savoured the last bites, a dense cloud rolled in, shrouding the island in an ethereal grey.

Undeterred, and perhaps fueled by the lingering taste of salmon, we made the short 200-meter trek back down to the beach. The visibility had dropped significantly; the world was reduced to a soft, muted palette. But then, something magical happened.

Suddenly, the puffins out foraging at sea began to fly in. They materialized out of the fog, their vibrant orange feet and beaks stark against the monochrome backdrop, and landed on the rocks around us. They allowed us an incredibly close approach, offering a rare opportunity for intimate portraits.

Seizing the moment, I reached for my Sony 2X teleconverter. With a quick twist, it nestled between my trusty A9 and the powerful reach of my 600mm f/4 super-telephoto lens. The added magnification allowed me to fill the frame with the character of these remarkable birds. I edged closer, carefully navigating the slippery rocks, until I reached the lens's minimum focusing distance.

The silence, broken only by the gentle lapping of waves, was profound. It was a privilege to witness this scene and to capture this intimate glimpse into their lives.

This image serves as a reminder of the unexpected beauty that can emerge from challenging conditions. Initially, a potential disappointment, the heavy mist transformed into the perfect stage for a truly unforgettable encounter. It was a day that underscored the magic of wildlife photography and the incredible rewards of patience and a little gourmet salmon. What a day, indeed.

Atlantic Puffin Portrait in the mist (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine,Frailecillo atlántico, ATPU) Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 10,000, f/8 @ 1/125s Manual exposure. Full Frame image.

Puffin Portrait in the Fog

Ever dream of capturing a complete portfolio of Puffin images while enjoying the enchanting allure of a remote lighthouse island nestled in the breathtaking Gulf of Saint Lawrence? Imagine waking to the symphony of the Atlantic, with gourmet meals awaiting and the charm of newly renovated lighthouse accommodations embracing you. Just a short 200-meter stroll brings you to a wildlife photographer's paradise, where Atlantic puffins, razorbills, common murres, black guillemots, and a myriad of other captivating seabirds await your lens from dawn till dusk.

Join the esteemed Christopher Dodds for an immersive photography masterclass, where you'll unlock the secrets to crafting stunning portraits and mastering the art of birds in flight photography. This isn't just a workshop; it's an unparalleled opportunity to hone your skills in what could very well be the world's most idyllic location for Atlantic puffin photography. Don't just dream it, live it, and capture the magic!

Atlantic Puffin Portrait in the fog (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine,Frailecillo atlántico, ATPU) Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 3,200, f/8 @ 1/400s Manual exposure. Full Frame image.

Perfect Portraits of Black Vultures on a Stormy Day

Nature photography rarely goes exactly as planned, and the first day of the second workshop (April 8) proved that point! The forecast was a dramatic mix of thunderstorms, lightning, and blustery winds – not the ideal conditions for a peaceful pontoon boat cruise on the lake. Safety first, of course, so we headed off for Spoonbills and kept a close eye on the weather radar, hoping for a break in the weather.

Our patience paid off. Amidst the swirling weather patterns, the radar hinted at a window of opportunity; a hidden surprise awaited us after the first wave of rain! A significant gathering of Black Vultures had congregated around a large puddle. These birds might not be everyone's idea of a glamorous subject, but their dark plumage holds a unique beauty and intricate detail.

This unexpected gathering presented a fantastic opportunity. The low, diffused light following the rain was perfect for photographing their deep black feathers. Forget harsh shadows that can obscure detail; this soft, even illumination allowed us to truly capture the subtle textures and nuances within their dark plumage.

While the vultures were constantly moving, their temporary focus on the puddle allowed for a close approach until a few other photographers decided to approach from different angles, a la stalking wolf pack and scared them off. This proximity and the exceptional lighting conditions yielded a few precious moments to capture striking portraits. It was a masterclass in seizing the opportunity and understanding how specific weather conditions can dramatically enhance the final image, revealing the often-overlooked beauty in even the darkest subjects. Sometimes, the most rewarding shots come when you least expect them!

Black Vulture Portrait (Dendrocygna autumnalis, Dendrocygne à ventre noir, Suirirí piquirrojo, BLVU). From my recent Ospreys Galore Workshop Lake Blue Cypress on April 8, 2025, at Fellsmere, Florida, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Lens @790mm. ISO 20,000, f/8 @ 1/2,500s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Mule Deer Portrait

Here is a portrait of a mule deer made while driving the north loop during last year’s Best of Bosque Workshop. He ran as soon as a carload of photographers showed up, jumped out of their car and slammed the car doors, proving the best strategy is to stay in your vehicle and use it as a blind.

Although I sold one of the cancelled spots for the Dec. 5-9 Best of Bosque workshop, one spot remains after a couple was forced to cancel due to a medical emergency. My terms are 100% non-refundable, but I return all money paid if I can sell the spot, and I would love to return all of their money. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND SIGN UP.

Mule Deer Portrait (Odocoileus hemionus) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 5,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

I enjoyed my presentations at the largest camera show in Canada. Here are some images of me presenting in the Sony booth at the Profusion Expo in Toronto last week. I made a presentation in the Sony booth and on the main stage both days, and the shows were packed with eager photographers. Special thanks to Sony Canada and Vistek! This was my 10th year presenting at ProFusion and the 8th year for Sony!

Canadian Photographer Christopher Dodds presenting at ProFusion Expo Nov. 7, 2024. Images courtesy Julio Vazquez (thanks, Julio).

Red-Tailed Hawk Portrait

This portrait of a Red-Tailed Hawk was made during my Best of Bosque Workshop from our vehicle shortly after sunrise. The Red-Tailed Hawk landed in the middle of recently trimmed branches that were piled on the side of the road. We carefully manoeuvred close enough to get a portrait in the golden light with a pleasing background. The image was made after everyone in my group got the image I was after :)

Due to a medical emergency cancellation, one spot is still available for my Dec. 5-9 Best of Bosque workshop.

Red-tailed Hawk Portrait (Buteo jamaicensis, Buse à queue rousse, RTHA) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 1,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Northern Gannet Portrait showing off nasofrontal hinge

A Northern Gannet poses during my Gannets Galore Workshop for a portrait with its mouth wide open, showing off its nasofrontal hinge.

That’s not an accidental break in its beak! At the base of the upper mandible, a thin sheet of nasal bone is attached to the skull at the nasofrontal hinge, which gives mobility to the upper mandible, allowing it to move upward and downward.

Northern Gannet Portrait showing nasofrontal hinge (Morus bassanus, Fou de Bassan, NOGA). Image made during my GANNETS GALORE WORKSHOP at Bonaventure Island, Quebec, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens @598mm. ISO 400, f/14 @ 1/400s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Atlantic Puffin Headshot

Here's another Atlantic Puffin portrait from my recent PUFFINS GALORE (and so much more) DELUXE WORKSHOP. We woke to fog several mornings, and Puffins were perched everywhere. We used the park information signs as blinds and were able to spend hours making portraits at just about point-blank range. After making the standard tight headshots, I always explore more interesting poses while working at the minimum focusing distance of our lenses with an extremely limited depth of field.

Atlantic Puffin Headshot in the fog (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 1,600, f/8 @ 1/400s Manual exposure. Full Frame image.

KUDOS:

Chris: Just a quick note to express my appreciation for the fine workshop (PUFFINS GALORE DELUXE WORKSHOP) hosting provided by you and Julie, along with Louise and Marie-Josée and the charming Auberge facilities.  We were fortunate to have such good weather and abundant puffin activity, and your guidance and tips were very helpful, even for a long-time Sony mirrorless shooter.  I found the other clients quite interesting and enjoyed sharing the experience with all of them.  Despite some travel challenges to and from the Mingan Archipelago, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to the prospect of joining you in another workshop in the future.
 
Again, thank you for your excellent leadership and engaging fellowship on Iles aux Parroquets – now to plough through the 30,000+ images I brought back to find the “exceptional” few!
 
Best regards,

Gordon Norman California USA

Yellow-throated Warbler

On the morning of May 10, 2019, during my Songbirds of Pelee Workshop at Point Pelee National Park, a Yellow-throated warbler was the star visitor. We had an amazing morning watching it creep over the branches of the trunk of a few trees, much like a Black-and-white Warbler, before it jumped onto this perch in front of the out-of-focus marsh background.

Why Point Pelee? Location! Location! Location!

Point Pelee is part of a peninsula at the crossroads of two major migration routes, extending into the western basin of Lake Erie. It is one of the first points of land spring migrants reach in the pre-dawn hours when crossing Lake Erie at night. Point Pelee’s diverse habitats provide shelter for more than 390 recorded species of birds.

On rare occasions, you may witness a fallout of migrants in the park.  Fallouts or groundings of songbirds occur when a warm weather front advancing from the south or southeast meets a cold weather front moving in from the north or northwest.  Birds will descend when the two fronts meet at ground level or when the birds flying on a warm front override a cold front.

Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica, Paruline à gorge jaune, YTWA) Photographer May 10, 2019, during my SONGBIRDS OF PELEE WORKSHOP at Point Pelee National Park of Canada in Leamington, Ontario, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @800mm. ISO 5,000, f/5.6 @ 1/2,000s Manual exposure.

Bald Eagle Look Back Portrait

This is a fun portrait of a Bald Eagle from the second day (March 6, 2024) of my first Bald Eagles Galore and so much more Workshop in Alaska. Once the fishing action stops, the Eagles sit pretty and allow close approaches—smile.

Bald Eagles Look Back Portrait (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) March 6, 2024 near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 2X Tele-extender @1,200mm ISO 800, f/16 @ 1/200s. Manual Exposure mode. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop next March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Bald Eagle Calling Portrait

After a flurry of feeding, the Eagles settled down on perches, and many allowed us to get really close, as they usually do during my Eagles Galore Workshops in Alaska.

The key to getting a close-up portrait of an Eagle calling is patience; wait, and they will call!

ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-ker! An Eagle calling is like no other sound in nature; it always induces goosebumps and is instantly recognizable.

Bald Eagles Calling Portrait (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) March 13, 2024 near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 1.4X Tele-extender @840mm ISO 2,000, f/9 @ 1/800s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop next March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Bald Eagle Portrait a la Sony a9III

What a nightmare! The new Sony a9III, at 120 frames per second, offers incredible choice, but the subtle differences between images are an absolute nightmare to edit after each of the four-hour action-filled sessions that we have had with the Eagles so far. The autofocus is even more impressive than the Sony a1, so there is no easy way to rule out anything that is not tack-sharp. A great problem to have - smile!

Since it is a lot easier to choose a portrait, here is one of the last images I made yesterday using the new Sony a9III dialled down to only 30 FPS (I like some choice to get the best head and eye position - smile. I used my Sony 600mm f/4 lens paired with the Sony 2X tele-extender and stopped down to f/20 while the camera easily focused on the eye.

Bald Eagle Portrait (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 2X Tele-extender @1,200mm ISO 1,000, f/20 @ 1/160s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop next March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Juvenile Bald Eagle Portrait in Black and White

Here is an image of a juvenile Bald Eagle from my Bald Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska. I knew this image would be a black-and-white conversion the moment I saw it. Something about the mixed plumage and out-of-focus dark, wet beach background draws me into the Eagle’s eye.

Juvenile Bald Eagle Portrait in Black and White (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens. ISO 3,200, f/2.8 @ 1/5,000s. Full Frame Image. Manual Exposure mode. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop every March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Coastal Brown Grizzly Bear Portrait in sweet light

This image from last June’s Ultimate Brown Bears of Alaska Workshop of a boar Brown Bear grazing was made after the group sat quietly for more than half an hour waiting for it to lift its head and look towards us. The Alaskan golden light was magical and seemed to last forever.

Coastal Brown Grizzly Bear Boar PORTRAIT in sweet light (Coastal brown bear, Grizzly bear, Ursus arctos, ours brun) from my June Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai workshop in Alaska. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @800mm. ISO 1,600, f/5.6 @ 1/3,200s Manual exposure. Full frame image top to bottom.

Portrait of a Brown Bear Yearling

A simple portrait of my favourite yearling from last year’s Ultimate Brown Bear Adventure. This guy was an entertaining showman and sure did show off for us!

Coastal Brown Grizzly Bear Yearling PORTRAIT (Coastal brown bear, Grizzly bear, Ursus arctos, ours brun) from my June Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai workshop in Alaska. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm. ISO 10,000, f/5.6 @ 1/3,200s Manual exposure. Full frame image top to bottom.

Coastal Brown Bears Dancing

We watched these two siblings wrestling in the rain for almost an hour during my Ultimate Brown Bears of Katmai Photo Tour. This frame makes it look like they are ballroom dancing (and rather good at it). This is another frame from 2010: I have been at this for a long time - smile!

Coastal Brown Bears SHALL WE DANCE? (Ursus arctos or Grizzly Bears) from June 2010. Geographic Harbor, Katmai National Park, Alaska, from my Ultimate Brown Bear Photo Tour. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. 500mm with 2X Teleconverter @1,000mm ISO 1,600, f/8 @ 1/800s. Manual exposure.

Northern Harrier Gray Ghost

A Gray Ghost (Male Northern Harrier) allowed us to get quite close while approaching on foot, a testament to the respect that my participants showed this magnificent raptor while carefully and slowly moving toward it. Usually scarce and hard to photograph, there is an unusually high number of Male Harriers this winter!

Northern Harrier GRAY GHOST (Circus hudsonius, busard Saint-Martin, NOHA) from my WINTER OWL PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP in southern Ontario, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 10,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

American Coot

Though commonly mistaken for ducks, American coots are only distantly related to ducks, belonging to a separate order, the family Rallidae.

Noisier and more quarrelsome than their relatives, the rails, American coots are known for their unmelodic medleys of cackles, grunts, and croaks. The young have a remarkable means of escaping danger: at the first warning from an adult, chicks dive underwater and grasp a plant stem in their bill, anchoring themselves to the bottom until the threat has passed.

American Coot (Fulica americana, Foulque d'Amérique AMCO) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 3,200, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. The full-frame image was cropped to a 5 x 4 aspect ratio.

Northern Shoveler Portrait

During my recent Better than Bosque workshop in New Mexico, we had a ton of fun with the ducks in Albuquerque. The water was perfect for reflections of the various species of ducks that came close.

Northern Shoveler Portrait (Spatula clypeata, Canard souchet, NSHO) from today while scouting for my Better than Bosque workshop. Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 2,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Check-out a flying Northern Shoveler from last year:

Click the image to see a Northern Shoveler in flight from last year.